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RMT released a shocking picture which shows five inches of rail head crumbling away to nothing leaving a potentially lethal gap in the track on the InterCity East Coast Mainline at Colton Junction just south of York where normal running speeds at 125mph. The original crack had been identified on inspection and painted blue to mark it down for repair or replacement. However, due to cuts it took four days to replace in which time a crack had become a five inch gap, leaving trains, passengers and staff at risk of a serious and potentially lethal incident. RMT understands that there is massive pressure to keep the ECML running from the government and the department of transport as they look to re- privatise the service. A Daily Mirror exclusive reported that drivers are reporting concerns about ‘rough riding’ and bangs underneath trains in the same area. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the shocking picture highlighted the reality on Britain's railways. “Staffing and inspections have been cuts in the dash to save money and there is massive pressure right from the top of government to keep services running at all costs regardless of the potential human cost. "This is exactly the same set of poisonous conditions that lead us to the Hatfield disaster and as this picture shows we are dicing with death and risking another major rail tragedy,” he said. "RMT is demanding all cuts to staffing, maintenance and renewals reversed and all track works brought back in house rather than subbed-out to contractors. Contractor staff should be transferred over to direct Network Rail employment and the pressure from the centre to run services at any costs lifted to enable safety-critical works to take place immediately. "Finally, we want an end to the further cuts proposed by the government in its McNulty Rail Review before we end up with another rail tragedy on Britain's tracks with ministers paraded on our screens with blood on their hands,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2013 2012 :: RMTnews 5 RMT demands action after exposing the shocking state of track on the East Coast Mainline ANOTHER HATFIELD DISASTER IN THE MAKING